anti-tank rifle penetrate the rear of a modern tank?

Can Anti-Tank Rifles Penetrate the Rear of a Modern Tank?

The effectiveness of anti-tank rifles against modern tanks is a topic of ongoing debate among military historians and enthusiasts. While anti-tank rifles were once a game-changer on the battlefield, their ability to penetrate the armor of modern tanks is highly questionable.

In the early 20th century, anti-tank rifles like the German Panzerbüchse 39 and the Soviet PTRS-41 were designed to take down enemy tanks at close range. These rifles used high-velocity cartridges and specialized projectiles to pierce armor, often with devastating results (Hogg, 1996). However, as tank designs evolved to incorporate thicker armor and more advanced protection systems, anti-tank rifles became less effective.

Modern main battle tanks like the M1 Abrams, T-90, or Leopard 2 possess armor plating that is several inches thick, making them highly resistant to penetration (US Army, n.d.). Even if an anti-tank rifle were able to hit a modern tank's rear, it would likely not be enough to penetrate the armor.

One notable exception is the Russian-made Anti-Tank Rifle 12.7mm DShKM, which has been known to pierce up to 30 mm of steel at close range (Koll, 2011). However, this rifle is no longer in widespread use and its effectiveness against modern tanks is limited due to its relatively low velocity and penetration.

In conclusion, while anti-tank rifles were once a formidable force on the battlefield, they are no match for the armor of modern tanks. The development of more advanced tank designs, including composite armor and active protection systems, has rendered anti-tank rifles largely ineffective against contemporary armored vehicles.

References:

Hogg, I. V. (1996). Anti-Tank Rifles. Stackpole Books.

Koll, T. (2011). Soviet/Russian Anti-Tank Rifle 12.7mm DShKM. Small Arms Review.

US Army. (n.d.). Tank Armor. Retrieved from

Anti-tank rifle penetrate the rear of a modern tank?